Switch



Jan. 5, 1932. A, R. LOCKE 1,839,568

SWITCH Filed July 50, 1928 ZberJQ. Locke H QJ. l

Patented Jan. 5, `1932 PATENT* Aori-Ica ALBERT R. LQCKE, F OAK PARK, ILLINOIS SWITCH Application med July 3o,

This invention relates to improvements in switches for the closing or opening of electrical circuits, and more particularly to a switch incorporating therein means kfor the snub- 5 bing or extinguishing of any arc created by the manipulation of the switch `mechanism, although the device may be used for many and varied purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In the past, various means and devices have been employed for the extinguishing of an arc caused by the actuation of switch mechanism or the like, but these formerly known instrumentalities have, in most in- 115` stances, proven objectionable due to the. fact that they were not as intimately assoclated with theJ various contacts of the switch mechanism as is desirable, were not as durable, nor as effective in their action as is desirable,

20 and. frequently were constructed of mechanism such as becomes sluggish in its action after comparatively short usage. Moreover, the means-for this purpose heretofore known were frequently prohibitively expensive 4for utilization in practically every type economi- `cal installation. y

The resent invention is designed to overcome't e above noted as well as other defects and objections in. the provision of a switch or switch mechanism provided with arc snubbing means which positively and effectively extinguish any arc caused by the manipulation of the switch mechanism. Another object of the present invention is to provide a switch equipped with arc snubbing means which are movable with the movable contact of the switch in eithery direction. Another object of the present invention is to provide arc snubbing means for a bridging contactor which substantially embraces said contactor and extends therebeyond in a plurality of directions so that the snubbing means will at all times lie within the path of an yarc caused by the action of j the contactor relative to theV contacts `of the switch.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a switch equipped with a movable contacting element provided with arc snubbing means movable therewith, there 5 being no sharp corners on the structure `to 192s. semi No. 296,395.

become scored or otherwise affected by arcs resulting from the manipulation of the switch mechanism. l v

` A still further object of the pres-ent inventionis toprovide a device yof the character de- '55 scribed herein, which is durable, positive in lts action, and readily and easily assembled.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics,iand advantages, of a device embodying the present invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosure.

The invention includes these and other features of .construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described,` and shownin a preferred form in the drawings, as more particularly by the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a switch unit provided with means embodying principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation, with parts omitted, of a portion of the'structure shown in Figure 1. i

Figure 3 is a view in elevation showing the interior of apart of the arc snubbing means.

Figure 4 is an enlarged bottom plan sectional view taken substantially along line IV-IV of Figure 1. Y

In the structure arbitrarily selected to illustrate an embodiment of thepresentinvention there is shown a base plate l on which is s mountedv switchy ,mechanism including parallel upright frame members4 2 which effectively support a housing 3 and a front 4. 55y

lMounted on the plate 1', in any desirable manner, on each side of the frame members 2, is a pair of spaced contact members 5 suitably connected to adjacent binding posts 6. A double throw switch element includingan arm T and a handle 8 is pivotally mounted inV the housing 3 by means of an arcuate portion 9 properly seatedl in the upper part of the housing 3 with the aid of pins 10. The lower end of the switch arm 7 is bifur- 95 cated to .form a pair of arcuatefurcations l1.

In the present embodiment, an arc snubbing element is provided,which is formed from a pair of complementary-- disk portions 12 and #f 13, respectively, formed from any desirable me nonconductive and nonignitible material such as asbestos compound, and each of which is recessed as at 14; (Figure on their inner faces to accommodate a portion of the arm 7 and the furcations 11, so that when both disks, 12 and 13, are seated together the furcations will be securely imbedded therebetween as seen more clearly in Figures 2 and l. The disks 12 and 13 are also provided with a central aperture 15 to receive therethrough a contacter embodying a pair of conductive members 1G and 17, respectively, in this instance, the member 16 having a central pin 18 projecting inwardly therefrom so as to be telescopically received within an integral bushing 19 on the element 17. rllhe outer faces of the members 16 and 17 are flanged so as to provide a suitable contacter for bridging the contacts 5 by passing therebetween as shown clearly in Figure 4. The

disks 12 and 13 are recessed on their outer I guish the same.

faces, as at 20, to accommodate substantially half of the flanged portions of the elements 1G and 17. The telescopic joint uniting the elements 1G and 17, in this instance, is shown as a fe ced lit joint and will effectively hold all of the elements in their proper relation on the furcations 11. It is to be understood, however, that the contact elements 16 and 17 may be united in any desired manner or may be formed in one single piece, and the are snubbing means also may be formeel in one piece and secured around the contacter in any desired manner.

It will be equally apparent that the arc snubbing element need not be in the form of a disk, but this form is preferable in View of the fact that when the peripheral edges oit the arc snubber are rounded, as at 21, and

the peripheral edges of Athe elements 16 and 17 are rounded, as at 22, there are no resulting sharp corners to be scored or pitted by any arcs which may be produced, it being well known that sharp corners on any structure similar to that described herein, provide `a material lire hazard, in view of the fact that an arc will strike or make readily with a sharp corner or point.

To operate the present invention, the handle 8 is merely thrown in either of the directions shown by the dotted lines in Figure 1,

so that the cont-actor will bridge either of the pairs of the spaced contacts 5, thereby establishing electrical connection between the contacts. If any arcs are created by the proximit-y of the contacter to the contacts 5, the

are snubber formed from the disks 12 and 13 extending beyond the contacter in all directions, when actuated will iirst pass direct-ly in the path of the said arc and snub or extin- The same is true when the contacter leaves the contacts 5, there being a portion of the are snubber remaining in the path of the are, if such be produced, after all the conductive elements have separated.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that l have provided arc snubbing means movable with the contactor of the switch mechanism and so disposed as to positively snub any arc which may be produced by the movement of the contacter relative to the contacts of the switch. Moreover, the present invention is extremely durable and may be e sily and economically manufactured and assembled.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and l, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

l claim as my invention:

1. in a switch, a pair of spaced contacts, a pivoted switch blade, a round contactor having external rounded edges carried by said blade for selectively bridging said contacts to establish electrical connection therebetween, and a non-conductive and non-ignitible disc of larger diameter than said contacter and nlovable therewith for extinguishing arcs between said contacts and said contacter, said contacter extending axially beyond the surface of said disc.

2. ln ay switch unit, spaced contacts, means for bridging said contacts including a pair ci teleseopically joined conductive members having flanged outer portions for engagement with said contacts, and an arc snubhing element disposed between said flanged portions, whereby said conductive members and said element may be dismantled at will.

3. ln a switch, spaced contacts, a pivoted blade having a bifurcated end, non-conductive non-ignitible discs having recesses therein to accommodate the furcations on said blade, said discs being centrally apertured, and conductive means passing through the apertures in said discs for conductive engagement with said contacts.

In testimony whereof l have hereunto subscribed my naine at Chicago, Cook County, 

